[C320-list] Winterizing Engine

[Jeff Hare]

One more datapoint here. 

We have a 2001.  We found that over time we had a harder and harder time getting the raw water pump to prime whenever we cleaned the strainer even with a new impeller.  It got bad enough that I often had to take the hose off the impeller to ensure no air in the feed line to the pump. 

This problem got worse each year.  This past year we replaced the pump.  It primes instantly now from a dry hose and pushes noticably more water. 

Maybe this the real problem. 

-Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: "Jon Vez" <jonvez at comcast.net>
Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:10:42 
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Reply-To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Winterizing Engine

Joe,

Sounds like you developed an air pocket in your system. 

Take a bucket and fill it half way with water and place the raw water hose
in the bucket. Have a water hose ready and start the engine. Once the water
starts drawing, use the water hose to maintain water in the bucket. Once
you've regained proper suction, stop the engine. Fill the bucket with your
antifreeze and try again. Hope this helps...

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582 

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Joseph
Aberdale
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2010 8:20 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Winterizing Engine

Hello All,

I am a new owner of a 2002 model, have hauled it out and want to  
learn how to winterize my boat and engine. Your generous assistance  
allowed me to successfully winterize the boat.  I changed the oil and  
filter in my engine and today attempted to run anti freeze through  
the cooling system.

I drained the water from the aqua muffler and emptied the water from  
the intake strainer bowl. The water intake hose was disconnected from  
the seacock and placed in a pail of antifreeze.  When the engine was  
started, it failed to suck up the anti freeze.  I primed the hose by  
filling it with anti freeze and it still wouldn't suck up the  
antifreeze.  I opened the water pump to check the impeller and it  
looked OK. (What does a bad impeller look like?)  I did notice that  
the water pump had no gasket.  Is it supposed to? How can I get the  
cooling intake hose to suck in the anti freeze?

Thank you for your help.

Joe
#908